Oh, what the heck! Here I am!!! Joining in for the pain/fun/stress once again!

It's good to see some familiar "faces".

Edited to add: And welcome to all the new faces!

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Thanks! I don't really feel new as I lurked and occasionally posted as a nonapplicant through last years process. So I feel like I know a little bit of what the process puts everyone through. As I remember it involves a lot of hurrying to submit your answers, videos, interviews and waiting around to find out who survives the cut each round.

Thanks! I don't really feel new as I lurked and occasionally posted as a nonapplicant through last years process. So I feel like I know a little bit of what the process puts everyone through. As I remember it involves a lot of hurrying to submit your answers, videos, interviews and waiting around to find out who survives the cut each round.

Haha!! Love the badge! And your recollection of the process is spot on. Welcome to the waiting room!

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Thanks! I made a badge for the Moms Panel survivors last year, so it was pretty easy to alter it to fit.
And as I said, I lurked because I wished I could apply. It was a bit like reality TV between the ups and downs of the process, I wish I could have really been involved, though and felt a bit bad on commenting when I wasn't really there with y'all in the process.
Question of the day-
Is anyone thinking to apply as a specialty mom? I want to apply for DCL Mom. I LOVE DCL!!! Any other DCL Moms? RunDisney? DVC? Disneyland? Wide World of Sports? Bilingual?

Thanks! I made a badge for the Moms Panel survivors last year, so it was pretty easy to alter it to fit.
And as I said, I lurked because I wished I could apply. It was a bit like reality TV between the ups and downs of the process, I wish I could have really been involved, though and felt a bit bad on commenting when I wasn't really there with y'all in the process.
Question of the day-
Is anyone thinking to apply as a specialty mom? I want to apply for DCL Mom. I LOVE DCL!!! Any other DCL Moms? RunDisney? DVC? Disneyland? Wide World of Sports? Bilingual?

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So many choices it's hard! I wish they would ask you which areas you have experienced in say the last 5 years. Last year I applied for the WDW option but I am also a DVC owner and we went on our first Disney Cruise last year and now we are hooked on it! Absolutely loved it!

Has anyone heard anything about a Mom's Panel Meet & Greet this year? They are usually the first week of October, I think. We are going to be at WDW October 5-13 and I am hoping it will happen while I am there.

Question of the day-
Is anyone thinking to apply as a specialty mom? I want to apply for DCL Mom. I LOVE DCL!!! Any other DCL Moms? RunDisney? DVC? Disneyland? Wide World of Sports? Bilingual?

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I'm a west coast girl, so Disneyland would be my specialty. Was just there in May, so everything is still fresh and that was probably trip #15 for me. Going on my first DCL cruise in October, but that wouldn't be my specialty... Yet!

I'm a west coast girl, so Disneyland would be my specialty. Was just there in May, so everything is still fresh and that was probably trip #15 for me. Going on my first DCL cruise in October, but that wouldn't be my specialty... Yet!

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You're going to love cruising with Disney! Which ship and itinerary?
I squeezed in three DCL cruises in the last year while they've been sailing out of Galveston this last year! I've got my last Galveston sailing booked for next winter break and then it will be back to flying to Orlando for our one after that. The interesting thing about cruising is the earlier you book, the less the stateroom costs, so I've booked as far as nineteen months in advance more than once.
I'm super excited about this whole panel process this year!
The next most exciting thing going on right now is I'm planning a big family reunion cruise for fall of 2015. If history is any indication, those dates should be released sometime in October this year! I've been fielding questions from my in laws, brothers, sisters, and about all the different aspects to consider about the trip all summer. That's got to be good moms panel practice, right? I get to coordinate between everyone's requests (many of them haven't been on any cruise ever) and book everything. We finally have dates, rooms, possible itinerary interests and ship picked out.
The best part of all this planning; we may finally hit grand slam status on that 2015 cruise.

We are sailing the Wonder out of Galveston, Western Caribbean. Seemed like a fabulous deal, especially with being off season and the deals they are running with the "Goodbye to Galveston" promotion. 7 days! Can't wait!!!

We are sailing the Wonder out of Galveston, Western Caribbean. Seemed like a fabulous deal, especially with being off season and the deals they are running with the "Goodbye to Galveston" promotion. 7 days! Can't wait!!!

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The Wonder is simply lovely and was the ship DH and I cruised with back in 2010 for our first cruise.

Seven nights is a wonderful choice for a cruise, three and four nights always feel so short. You get unpacked, get in a groove and then are back to packing right away! I do love the Galveston specials. They've made it possible not only for my family to enjoy cruising while DCL went Texan, but for me to introduce my in-laws, my Disney friends, my kid's school friends and my church friends to a very magical experience right in our backyard.

Have you decided on any port adventures yet? DS loved the stingrays in Grand Cayman. It's a lovely port to just wander around.

That being said, I've done a three, a four, and have another four scheduled. We wanted a seven or eight night for our next cruise, but preferred selecting the port of departure (Galveston) and dates (DD's birthday and our anniversary, so January 4th). That's a unique thing about taking a cruise. Unlike the parks, you can't really pick all of the variables, so you learn to just float along as the schedules come out.

Coincidentally, I just finished my trip report covering our seven night Western out of Galveston last fall. I am so behind on my trip reports right now that it isn't even funny.

Hey guys! Ei want to apply but have a question. I went in 1986 (so long ago) and Dl in 1989 but went on a great trip last October, going again this November. I research a lot, listen to podcasts, come ot the DIS daily....try to learn everything possible. I have blogged about disney several times for a well read blog. I am also disabled from an illness, so if they want that angle I could provide. I have two kids ages 6 and 2. So although I think I have a lot of knowledge and would do a great job do I have enough actual park experience to bother applying?

Hey guys! Ei want to apply but have a question. I went in 1986 (so long ago) and Dl in 1989 but went on a great trip last October, going again this November. I research a lot, listen to podcasts, come ot the DIS daily....try to learn everything possible. I have blogged about disney several times for a well read blog. I am also disabled from an illness, so if they want that angle I could provide. I have two kids ages 6 and 2. So although I think I have a lot of knowledge and would do a great job do I have enough actual park experience to bother applying?

Hi All,
I'm Rachel from Ontario Canada. I can't believe it's been a year since the first time I applied. Being on these discussion boards is the first time I've ever felt like a Disney amateur - you ladies are awesome! We've been 7 times in 6 years & this year took our first Disney Cruise on the Fantasy ... of course now we are spoiled for every other cruise line - it was amazing. We have stayed off grounds twice but I honestly LOVE staying on the grounds - it really does feel like you're in a whole different "world". Our fav place to stay (much to my surprise) is Wilderness Lodge - upscale yet super kid-friendly - they can hang out in the lobby in their jammies, & you're just a happy boat-ride away from the MK - my second fav place on earth (home being the first)! Good luck to all & I'm looking forward to the fun ... I wonder what the stumper "Dole Whip" question will be this year.

Hey guys! Ei want to apply but have a question. I went in 1986 (so long ago) and Dl in 1989 but went on a great trip last October, going again this November. I research a lot, listen to podcasts, come ot the DIS daily....try to learn everything possible. I have blogged about disney several times for a well read blog. I am also disabled from an illness, so if they want that angle I could provide. I have two kids ages 6 and 2. So although I think I have a lot of knowledge and would do a great job do I have enough actual park experience to bother applying?

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I say go for it ... I've only applied once but it's easy to see from these boards that there are people with TONS of Disney experience who never get past round 1 & people with not very much experience who make it so you never know.
... wouldn't you love to be a fly on the wall when they're making decisions so we'd have an idea!

Anyone have any insight into how many cruises you'd need to take to apply for the DCL specialty? I've only been on one but have another booked. I have been to WDW 9 times so will likely stick with that but was just wondering.